Orbinaut

This article is about the enemies with spiked balls for defenses. You could be looking for Orbot.

Orbinaut refers to a category of sea urchin-based Badniks that are created by Dr. Eggman and are recurring enemies in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The first Orbinaut models debuted in Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), and have since appeared in multiple game titles.

Description

Orbinauts are based upon sea urchins (uni in Japanese). Orbinauts are different colors of metal orbs which are able to hover in the air. This Badnik's signature weapons are four spiked balls that ringed around of them. Some Orbinauts throw at its prey which is its only method of attack for some of these Badniks. This is also a major weakness; as once all four spiked balls have been thrown, the hovering Orbinaut itself is completely defenseless.

However some Orbinauts do not throw its spike balls away, but keep moving forward and keep ringing its spike balls at same time as keeping its defense on. It is usually impossible to defeat these types of Orbinauts without getting hit, so it is good to avoid them and simply keep moving. Few Orbinauts utilize its spike balls with different methods to stop the player.

Types

Unidasu

Main article: Unidasu

A blue variety of Orbinaut called Unidasu^[1] (ウニダス^[2], Unidasu^?) that first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog (1991). This variation can throw its spiked balls at an enemy when spotting one. While the Unidasu received a slight redesign in Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2, the Badnik has regained its original design in recent appearances, like in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I and Sonic Lost World.

Uni Uni

Main article: Uni Uni

A green variety of Orbinaut called Uni Uni^[1] (ウニウニ^[3], Uni Uni^[1]?) that keeps its spiked balls around itself for defense. Unlike the previous model, it can only be defeated while the player is invincible or if their jump is timed very carefully. It first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) and is one of the most recurring varieties of the Orbinaut series.

Orbinaut

Main article: Orbinaut (Sonic the Hedgehog 3)

A metallic gray variety simply named Orbinaut^[4] (ポーラ^[5], Pōra^?, lit. "Pola") that appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. This model keeps the spiked balls around it for defense, and only moves when the player moves. It can only be defeated while the player is invincible or with a well-timed Insta-Shield.

Variants

Main article: Gohla

A red variety of Orbinaut called Gohla^[6] (ゴーラ^[7], Gōra^?) that has fireballs orbiting it instead of spiked balls. It first appears in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and has become the most recurring offshoot of the Orbinaut series, along with Unidasu and Uni Uni. It received a slight redesign in Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2, but regained its original design in Sonic Lost World.

Star Pointer

Main article: Star Pointer

Another variety called Star Pointer^[4] (アイスダス^[8], Aisudasu^?, lit. "Icedus") that appears in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Instead of regular spiked balls, it has balls made of ice orbiting its body, which it can throw at enemies. Unlike projectiles from other Orbinaut varieties, the ice balls will disintegrate when making contact with a Thunder Shield or when blocked with an Insta-Shield.

Flamer

Main article: Flamer

A variety named Flamer (ボーラ, Bohla^?) that appears in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II. They are colored yellow and grey with four orbiting flamethrowers, which they can use to temporarily ignite fire in oily landscapes.

Tubinaut

Main article: Tubinaut

An orange variety named Tubinaut that appears in Sonic Mania and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus. These Orbinaut variants have three sphere-based satellites orbiting them that they spin around at such speed that they form a damage-inducing barrier around their Turbinaut. These satellites can also repel those attacking them, although that will destroy them.

In other media

Main article: Orbinaut (Sonic the Comic)

In the Sonic the Comic series published by Fleetway Editions, the Orbinauts are a part of Dr. Robotnik's Badnik army and are among the first generation of Badniks the doctor produced. Depending on the artist, the Orbinauts' design or coloration would be slightly different between each issue.

Archie Comics

Main articles: Orbinaut (Archie) and Orbinaut (Pre-Super Genesis Wave)

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Orbinauts were among the first generation of Badniks produced by Dr. Robotnik. Over time though, the Orbinauts were rendered obsolete by more advanced robots and got decommissioned. Following the events of Worlds Collide, the Orbinauts' history became nearly identical to that of their game counterparts.

Unlike in the games, there has never been made any distinctions between the different types of Orbinauts in the comics. Also, these Orbinauts have also demonstrated the ability to shoot spikes from their spike balls, and are sometimes drawn with mouths.

References